I'm a champion of any publication which features death, dying and bereavement. Especially when it echoes my own mantra that acknowledging mortality brings a new appreciation for life. So I was delighted when my favourite magazine 'The Simple Things' landed on my doormat this morning and, there inside, was a wonderful article entitled 'Life, Love and Loss' revealing how 'new ways to deal with death can help us find comfort after bereavement'. As a subscriber I got my magazine copy early but this February Issue will be in the shops from 31st January... grab yourself a copy!

At the end of each year, I have a little sort out of the printed scripts and service sheets that I have accumulated during the past 12 months. I have a digital copy of every script on my computer, so I re-cycle the paper version but keep the order of services. I always find it really moving to see the faces and recall the names of those whose lives I've helped to celebrate. I remember the family visits, the music played, the tributes paid... and I think, what an honour to have played a meaningful part in all these farewells.

Here's a picture of all the service sheets from 2017, during which time I led more than 150 ceremonies. That's a lot of families who will be experiencing their first Christmas without that special someone. I'll be thinking of them, and hope they can take comfort from all they shared together and the many happy memories they left behind.

"I caught sight of this cosy red jumper and thought it was the sort of thing my late father would love."

Here's a heart-warming story in the news this week about a woman who was out shopping with her family and the sight of a red jumper triggered a sudden feeling of grief for her dad who died 10 years ago. She tweeted her thought and was overwhelmed with the response that followed. Read about it HERE...

Yes, it's me! I'm appearing in Choice magazine's November issue, in a feature on Funeral Planning. Lovely to be included and it will reach 160,00 readers, so that's exciting!